The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 represents the most substantial piece of legislation in the sector since the 2010 and 2014 Acts, both of which played a pivotal role in reinforcing the regulation of social housing. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 6 November 2025, is set to bring considerable changes regarding compliance requirements and the management of tenancies.
While Royal Assent has been granted, this does not automatically bring all provisions into force. Instead, it empowers Scottish Ministers to introduce detailed secondary legislation. It is at that point the full impact of the Act will become clear, providing RSLs with the operational clarity needed to plan effectively.
We previously explored the 2025 Act’s proposals in our blog: Housing (Scotland) Bill passed – what will the impact be on RSLs. However, much of the practical detail still depends on regulations yet to be published.
To date, only one regulation under the 2025 Act has been made; the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 (Commencement No 1) Regulations 2025, laid on 20 November 2025 and effective from 5 December 2025. That Regulation appoints 6 December 2025 as the day on which two provisions of the 2025 Act become operative, namely sections 46 and 47 which enables Scottish Ministers to prepare regulations around damp/mould and update the tolerable standard guidance accordingly.
These Regulations are the starting point for implementation of the 2025 Act, and although limited in scope they mark the transition to the broader reforms envisaged for tenancy law.
Please keep an eye on our blog for updates as further regulations are published.
For more information or advice on housing law, feel free to contact our team.
